Cómo sacar el CARNET de CONDUCIR en ESPAÑA - Canje 🇪🇸🚘

Summary

In this video, Diana shares her experience of obtaining a driver's license in Spain, detailing the long, complex, and costly process. She explains the steps involved, including registering at a driving school, studying for the theoretical exam, and completing practical driving lessons. Diana also discusses the challenges faced by newcomers who can't exchange foreign licenses and the additional costs for those who need more practice. Despite the hurdles, she highlights the freedom and independence that come with having a Spanish driver's license, which is valid in many countries.

Takeaways

• 😀 Driving in Spain is a lengthy, tedious, and costly process compared to other countries like the U.S. or South America.
• 😀 If you're a legal resident or Spanish citizen, Spain has agreements to exchange your foreign driving license with those from certain countries.
• 😀 Diana, the speaker, had a U.S. and Venezuelan driving license but couldn't exchange them in Spain, so she had to start from scratch.
• 😀 Despite Spain's excellent public transport, the independence of driving is invaluable, especially after getting a legal residency card.
• 😀 In Spain, everyone, regardless of driving experience, must attend a driving school (autoescuela) to obtain a license if they can't exchange their foreign license.
• 😀 Diana studied intensively for the theoretical driving test, completing thousands of practice exams before passing on her first try.
• 😀 Even though Diana had years of driving experience, she still had to complete practical driving lessons before being allowed to take the driving test.
• 😀 Spanish driving exams place a strong emphasis on road signs and local driving rules, which may differ significantly from other countries.
• 😀 After passing the practical exam, new drivers in Spain must display a 'L' plate on their car for a year, indicating that they are novice drivers.
• 😀 The total cost of obtaining a Spanish driving license can be as high as €900, with additional costs for more lessons if you're a beginner.
• 😀 Despite the high cost and complexity, obtaining a Spanish driving license is worth it for the freedom it provides, as well as the ability to drive in many other countries.

Q & A

What is the process of obtaining a driving license in Spain?

Obtaining a driving license in Spain involves registering at an autoescuela (driving school), studying for and passing a theoretical exam, taking practical driving lessons, and then passing a practical driving exam with the DGT (Directorate-General of Traffic).

How does the process of obtaining a driving license in Spain differ from the United States or South America?

In Spain, the process is more complicated, lengthy, and costly compared to the United States or South America. While some countries have agreements to exchange foreign licenses, the U.S. and Venezuela are not part of Spain's exchange program, requiring residents to go through the full process from scratch.

Can someone exchange their foreign driving license for a Spanish one?

Yes, Spain has agreements with certain countries for exchanging foreign driving licenses. However, U.S. and Venezuelan licenses are not eligible for exchange, so individuals from these countries must go through the full process of obtaining a Spanish driving license.

How long did it take for the speaker to go through the process of obtaining their driving license in Spain?

The speaker mentioned studying for about five months before taking the theoretical exam and then completing the practical classes and exam, which likely took a few additional months. In total, it was a prolonged process of several months.

How many theoretical exams did the speaker take before passing?

The speaker passed the theoretical exam on their first attempt after studying extensively, including taking around 2000 to 3000 practice tests.

Why is it important to take practical driving lessons in Spain, even for experienced drivers?

In Spain, even experienced drivers must take practical driving lessons because the road signs and driving rules are different from those in other countries. These lessons help familiarize drivers with Spanish road regulations and how exams are conducted.

What is the 'L' plate, and why is it required in Spain?

The 'L' plate is a sticker that new drivers must display on the back window of their car for one year after passing their driving test. It indicates that the driver is a beginner, which is a legal requirement in Spain.

How much does the entire process of obtaining a Spanish driving license cost?

The total cost for obtaining a Spanish driving license can be around 900 euros, including the fees for the driving school, the theoretical and practical exam registrations, and the cost of the actual license. The price can increase if additional driving lessons are required.

Is it mandatory to have a driving license in Spain, even with good public transportation?

While public transportation in Spain is efficient, having a driving license is still essential for many people, as it offers greater independence, especially for those who want to travel freely or live in areas with limited public transport options.

What challenges did the speaker face while trying to obtain a driving license in Spain?

The speaker faced challenges such as the complexity and length of the process, the high cost of the necessary exams and lessons, and the need to adjust to Spain's unique driving regulations and road signs, despite having years of driving experience in the U.S.